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Chris Spiker
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Chris Spiker's Contributions
Yonkers, NY
On Your Side
Soaring Energy Bills Force Americans To Cut Back On Groceries, Heat: New Survey
More Americans are cutting back on groceries and heating their homes as they battle soaring energy prices. Consumer Reports released findings from a survey on Wednesday, Oct. 21, showing how rising electricity costs are forcing families to make difficult financial decisions. The report found that more than one-quarter (26%) of Americans have put their heat or cooling at "uncomfortable levels to save money" in the last two years. Nearly one in five (19%) said they have reduced their spending on groceries or switched to cheaper food options to pay their electric bills. Other ways fa…
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
Taco Bell Reveals Baja Blast, Pepsi's Future After KFC Switches To Coke
Taco Bell won't be ditching Mountain Dew Baja Blast, even after sister chain KFC announced it was switching its beverages to Coca-Cola. PepsiCo announced on Thursday, Oct. 22, that it has renewed its partnership with Taco Bell for 11 more years. The move will keep popular drinks like Pepsi, Mountain Dew, and Starry at Taco Bell locations nationwide through 2036. The agreement comes exactly one week after KFC said it was ending its 40-year relationship with PepsiCo. The chicken giant will replace its Pepsi drinks with Coca-Cola products by the end of March 2027. Both Taco Bell and KFC …
Marlborough, MA
On Your Side
Get Free Turkeys At BJ's Before Thanksgiving Amid Soaring Prices: Here's How
BJ's Wholesale Club is bringing back a popular Thanksgiving promotion as American families continue battling inflation and higher grocery prices. The warehouse chain is offering free Butterball turkeys to members who spend $150 or more in a single transaction. BJ's announced the annual giveaway's return in a news release on Thursday, Oct. 22. Members must spend at least $150 on an in-store or online transaction between Saturday, Oct. 31, and Monday, Nov. 9. Purchases can also be made through the BJ's mobile app. Qualifying members will get a digital coupon worth $25 toward a free…
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
Airbnb Changes Rules For Chores At Checkout: What Guests Should Know
Airbnb is limiting how many chores guests can be required to do before leaving their rentals. The short-term vacation rental platform is introducing new guidelines for hosts worldwide starting Friday, Nov. 20. The changes come after complaints from guests who were expected to complete many tasks despite paying cleaning fees. Under the new policy, hosts generally won't be allowed to require guests to strip beds, take trash offsite, or wash and put away dishes. "To help set clear expectations and create positive experiences, hosts may set house rules and requests for their listing,…
Hartford, CT
Obituaries
Popular Video Game Creator Dies During Livestream: 'His Legacy Will Live On'
The creator of a popular online game that became a childhood favorite for video gamers worldwide has died. Marc-Manuel Alexander Otto, the German developer behind Stick Run, died at age 30. The game's team confirmed his death in a Facebook post on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Otto died following an apparent suicide during a Twitch livestream. "Today, we mourn not only the loss of our creator, but also a fellow Stick Runner whose work became a part of our lives," Stick Run said in its statement. "His legacy will live on through every memory, every run, and every player who grew up playing Stick Run.…
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
Millions Of Toothpaste Tubes Recalled From Several Brands: See If Yours Is Affected
More than 4 million tubes of toothpaste are being recalled nationwide, including several children's varieties featuring popular characters. Pritam International Private Limited issued the voluntary recall for 17 toothpaste products, the Food and Drug Administration said in a report classified on Monday, Oct. 19. The recall affects Brush Buddies, evo, and ARU toothpaste distributed across the US. The products are being recalled because of "deviations" from federal manufacturing standards for medications. The FDA didn't further explain what specific issue prompted the recall. The r…
Arlington, VA
On Your Side
Fire Risk From Leaking Gas Sparks Massive Toyota Recall: What To Know
More than 105,000 Toyota vehicles are being recalled because a fuel tube could leak gasoline, increasing the risk of a fire. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling 105,794 Land Cruiser Hybrid SUVs, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report filed on Wednesday, Oct. 14. The Land Cruisers are from the 2024 through 2027 model years. The problem involves a connection between a plastic fuel tube near the gas tank and a metal tube that delivers fuel to the engine. The connection could come apart if a retaining clip is lifted, allowing gas to leak.…
Springfield, MA
On Your Side
Big Y Rolls Out New Food-Ordering Systems: What You'll Find
Big Y is adding new tools to help customers order freshly prepared meals. The supermarket chain has launched in-store ordering kiosks at all 79 locations across Connecticut and Massachusetts, according to a news release on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Customers can also place orders online for pickup or delivery through a new partnership with Instacart. The kiosks allow shoppers to customize meals from Big Y's kitchen menu, including 'Wich Way sandwiches, wraps, bowls, pizza, fried seafood meals, and sushi. Customers can also order meals online for same-day pickup or schedule catering orders in a…
Hartford, CT
Your Community
CT's Best Elementary, Middle Schools Revealed In New National Rankings
Thousands of elementary and middle schools across the Northeast have been evaluated in new rankings that highlight the top-performing public schools in each state. U.S. News & World Report released its annual Best Elementary and Middle Schools Rankings on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The 2027 list evaluated about 46,000 public elementary schools and more than 24,000 middle schools nationwide based on reading and math achievement. The report highlights schools where students performed well on state assessments while accounting for student backgrounds. U.S. News said its updated methodol…
East Hanover-Florham Park, NJ
On Your Side
Ritz Unveils Long-Requested Change To Popular Crackers: When To Try Them
Ritz is going gluten-free with some of its popular crackers. The snack brand announced the launch of Ritz Gluten Free Original crackers in a news release on Monday, Oct. 19. The new crackers are designed to have the same buttery flavor and flaky texture as traditional Ritz crackers. The gluten-free crackers will begin arriving at select retailers in October before expanding to stores nationwide in February 2027. An 8-ounce package will have a suggested retail price of $4.49. View this post on Instagram The new crackers are certified gluten-fr…
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